May 24, 2018 - Rep.Chris Smith introduced historic Lyme Disease legislation that will create a national strategy for strengthening treatment and prevention of Lyme Disease, reportedTAPinto.

The National Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act will form the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Tick-Borne Disease, which will oversee Lyme Disease treatment and prevention measures conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Lyme Disease is occurring everywhere and we must double down with federal support and leadership,” said Rep. Chris Smith who has led the effort to bring more attention and funding for Lyme Disease patients and treatment in Congress since 1998.

“New Jersey in 2017 saw the highest number of reported cases of Lyme—5,092—since the year 2000. Monmouth County in my district had the third-highest number—550—of reported cases among counties in the state. And we must remember that the nationwide number of patients with Lyme Disease is probably much higher, as the CDC acknowledges it is often underreported.”